The question that we are unsure of, is if we should start our own brand, or buy a franchise (c21, remix) etc..  

They educate investors on the process of self-directed investing or assist in setting up single-member LLCs for either “check-book control” or to purchase a franchise or ROBS (Roll-Over Business Startup).

I think we have 8 homevestors franchise around here now those are all cash buyers, also wholesalers I realize but there are a lot of buyers in richmond right now. 

@Dennis HertzlerHere is some more information on how the ROBS 401k works.A new C-corporation is established.Corporation sponsors a new 401k/PSP.The IRA funds are transferred to a new brokerage account opened for the 401k/PSP.The new franchise corporation issues stock shares to the 401k/PSP for the benefit of the franchisee.The franchisee must be an employee of the franchise business and he or she may take a reasonable salary.The franchisee’s family members may be employees of the franchise business and receive reasonable compensation for their services.To the extent that the corporation generates profits and elects to distribute those profits to the owners of the business, the percentage of the profits associated with the shares held in the 401k/PSP will flow back to the 401k/PSP brokerage account.

If you are an active member/manager of an LLC in another state that holds property in another state, CA will consider you "doing business" in CA because you live in CA, and will expect you to pay the $800 franchise tax fee.  

And, always know who a buyer is before contracting, you need to know what properties to look at, which ones to pass up and how to do things up front and ethically.REAI groups are franchise operations, some a good, some fair, some are pretty bad, they might be a good place to meet others, they can be the wrong place to learn, depends on who you talk to.

In my area, the chains are franchises and agents are independent contractors. 

I can't tell you how many deals I've snaked from idiots who bought into Homevestor franchises here.

I have no employees to baby sit, no perishable inventory to move, no franchise fees to pay, and no store to maintain.

@Brian Gibbons is correct you need a good tax professional, not those franchise brands, someone licensed who specializes in real estate and preferably owns some themselves.